Best doctoral thesis of the year improves speed and accuracy of quantum computers

The best doctoral thesis of the year in technology is Eric Hyyppä's research “High-fidelity elementary operations for superconducting quantum computers” defended at Aalto University. The research helps to make quantum computing more accurate and faster. The award is worth €7,500.

“If quantum computers achieve sufficient computational accuracy, they have the potential to significantly enhance the efficiency of, for example, material and molecular system simulations and the solution of certain optimisation problems,” Eric Hyyppä says.

“Continuing education in technology provides the skills to identify socially and industrially significant problems and to develop solutions that can be put into practice. A thesis also teaches how to lead demanding technology development projects and to take ideas from the research desk and transform them into practical applications,” points out Annika Nylander, CEO at TFiF.

In addition to the annual doctoral thesis award, TEK and TFiF also present an annual master’s thesis award (diplomityöpalkinto). This year’s award goes to Tuomas Uusnäkki for his research “Quantum Heat Engine Based on Superconducting Circuits” done at Aalto University. The research promotes energy-efficient heat management of superconducting quantum circuits. The thesis creates a potential way to utilise the waste heat from quantum computers. The award is worth €5,000.

“Broad-based skills are important when using technology to create solutions to major societal problems and when technology is being deployed. Such skills provide the ability to understand impacts across disciplines and to create solutions that improve the world,” says Mikko Särelä, Expert for Industrial and Innovation Policy at TEK.

The award for the best master’s thesis (pro-gradu) of the year in mathematics, physics or computer science goes to Miika Manu, who did his research at the University of Jyväskylä. The thesis is titled "Injectivity of the geodesic ray transform and the light ray transform", and it can be utilised, for example, in medical imaging. The award is worth €5,000 and is presented by the Academic Association for Mathematics and Natural Sciences MAL. 

• Read more about the theses on the TEK website: www.tek.fi/en/best-theses-25
• translation from Finnish text: Käännös-Aazet
• If you wish to contact the winners for interviews or if you have questions about the photos, please contact TEK communications: katariina.ronnqvist@tek.fi, 040 7433 017